Methods and apparatus for heat treatment and sand removal for castings
AssigneeConsolidated Engineering Company, Inc.
InventorsScott P. Crafton, Paul M. Crafton, Volker R. Knobloch, James L. Lewis, Jr., Ian French
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for heat treating castings and removing sand cores therefrom. The castings are initially located in indexed positions with their x, y, and z coordinates known. The castings are passed through a heat treatment station typically having a series of nozzles mounted in preset positions corresponding to the known indexed positions of the castings passing through the heat treatment station. The nozzles apply heat to the castings for heat treating the castings and dislodging the sand cores for removal from the castings.
Claims18
A method of processing a metal casting, comprising:
- pouring a metal in molten form into a mold;
- retaining the metal within the mold for a time and to a temperature sufficient to at least partially solidify the metal so as to form the casting:
- placing the mold in a heat treatment station for heat treating the casting within the mold with the casting aligned in a defined, indexed position;
- and
- applying energy to the mold to increase the temperature of the casting within the mold and at least partially heat treat the casting while the casting is within the mold.
A system for manufacturing castings comprising:
- a series of molds in which a molten metal and a core are received to define and form the castings;
- a series of saddles adapted to receive the castings in a desired orientation having known, indexed position coordinates;
- and
- a heat treatment station in which the saddles, with the castings located in their known, indexed position therein, are received for heat treatment of the castings and core removal, wherein said heat treatment station including:
- at least one heating zone through which the saddles are moved with the castings oriented in predefined, known positions, for applying heat to the castings to heat treat the castings and cause the cores within the castings to be substantially dislodged from the castings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.